72-year-old gets help

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:

A GROUP of students from the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) are leading the charge to assist with restoring the life of 72-year-old Harold Gray by constructing a home for the elderly man in Portland.

Gray, whose house was in a deplorable state, and was further compounded by the passage of Hurricane Sandy, will in a matter of weeks occupy a two-bedroom board house, which is currently under construction on his own property at Janga Gully road in the parish capital.

Daniel Smith, a representative of the corporate communications office at NCU, pointed out that the team of 25 students has committed to assisting the elderly man who would have contributed to the society in many ways.

Learning social issues

"We are a pumped-up group. We have been learning about social issues through our lecturer Dr Vassel Kerr, who is inspirational in this project," commented Smith. "We are happy that we selected Portland, and all our members are excited, and they have committed to completing this dwelling."

Kerr explained that although both rooms would not be completed initially, work will continue until the building is fully completed.

"We have enough material on hand to complete the roofing," said Kerr. "However, we are a little short on ply boards and cement, and this is as a result of an estimate, which was provided to us. We received funding from students and from the School of Religion and Theology, which donated money."

The actual structure of the building including the foundation, assembling of rafters, braces, roofing boards, and ceiling beds was done by members of the Boundbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Gray was delighted at the assistance being provided to him, and thanked all the parties involved for the kind gesture. The elderly man, who was at a loss for words, however mentioned to Rural Express that once the house is completed, he intends to ask for the hand of a lady in marriage.